The incredible story of FC Astoria Walldorf begins with the club’s name. Its namesake Johann-Jakob Astor emigrated from the Walldorf region in Baden to the USA at the end of the 18th century and became one of the richest people in the world through Real Estate. His sons later went on to found the well-known hotel chain the Waldorf-Astoria. Now, more than 200 years on, an amateur football club from the same region will set foot in the DFB Cup round of 16 against 2.Bundesliga side Arminia Bielefeld.
“You hear from so many people that it should really be feasible,” said sporting director Ronald Dickgießer. Astoria have overcome second division side VfL Bochum (4-3 on penalties) and Bundesliga outfit SV Darmstadt 98 (1-0) to make it this far, and they are preparing to attempt another take-down of a higher-ranked opponent. It should not be forgotten, though, that the players have twice already played the “game of their lives” to get to this stage of the competition, reaffirmed Dickgießer. Not one of the players at the club is professional, and while training takes place daily, it is never before 17:30.
Bielefeld know: “It will be no walkover”
While Bielefeld restarted their season weeks ago, Astoria head coach Matthias Born has been looking to prepare his players since mid-January, as they will not be back in league action until 18th February when they will face 1. FC Saarbrücken.
Although there is a division of standings between the two sides, Bielefeld are taking nothing for granted in their 100th DFB Cup encounter. “We have to play the game first. It will not be a walkover,” said Bielefeld sporting director Samir Arabi. Arminia beat Rot-Weis Essen and Dynamo Dresden to reach the round of 16.
The incredible story of FC Astoria Walldorf begins with the club’s name. Its namesake Johann-Jakob Astor emigrated from the Walldorf region in Baden to the USA at the end of the 18th century and became one of the richest people in the world through Real Estate. His sons later went on to found the well-known hotel chain the Waldorf-Astoria. Now, more than 200 years on, an amateur football club from the same region will set foot in the DFB Cup round of 16 against 2.Bundesliga side Arminia Bielefeld.
“You hear from so many people that it should really be feasible,” said sporting director Ronald Dickgießer. Astoria have overcome second division side VfL Bochum (4-3 on penalties) and Bundesliga outfit SV Darmstadt 98 (1-0) to make it this far, and they are preparing to attempt another take-down of a higher-ranked opponent. It should not be forgotten, though, that the players have twice already played the “game of their lives” to get to this stage of the competition, reaffirmed Dickgießer. Not one of the players at the club is professional, and while training takes place daily, it is never before 17:30.
Bielefeld know: “It will be no walkover”
While Bielefeld restarted their season weeks ago, Astoria head coach Matthias Born has been looking to prepare his players since mid-January, as they will not be back in league action until 18th February when they will face 1. FC Saarbrücken.
Although there is a division of standings between the two sides, Bielefeld are taking nothing for granted in their 100th DFB Cup encounter. “We have to play the game first. It will not be a walkover,” said Bielefeld sporting director Samir Arabi. Arminia beat Rot-Weis Essen and Dynamo Dresden to reach the round of 16.
